Alain Resnais

This collection features twenty-one interviews with filmmaker Alain Resnais, exploring his creative methods, cinematic philosophy, and contributions to film history, while highlighting his unique position within the New Wave and beyond.

Alain Resnais: Interviews is a comprehensive collection that features twenty-one interviews with the renowned filmmaker Alain Resnais, spanning his extensive career from his early short films to his final feature. Edited by Lynn A. Higgins, this volume offers a unique insight into Resnais's creative processes, principles, and his significant contributions to world cinema. The interviews illuminate his distinctive position within the film industry, particularly in relation to the French New Wave and American cinema.

Resnais, celebrated as one of the most innovative filmmakers of the twentieth century, originally trained as an actor and film editor. Throughout his sixty-eight-year career, he explored various roles in filmmaking, including screenwriter, assistant director, and cinematographer. His notable works, such as the acclaimed documentaries Van Gogh and Night and Fog, alongside groundbreaking dramas like Hiroshima mon amour and Last Year at Marienbad, delve into complex themes of consciousness, memory, and imagination. Resnais's films are characterized by their anti-illusionist approach, which encourages viewers to remain aware that they are engaging with a crafted work of art.

The interviews in this collection, twelve of which are published in English for the first time, reflect Resnais's multifaceted nature as an intellectual, philosopher, entertainer, and artist. They provide a deeper understanding of his artistic vision and the innovative techniques he employed throughout his career. Overall, Alain Resnais: Interviews serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in the evolution of film and the legacy of one of its most influential figures.